Luke Chapter 24

Chapter 24

THE INTERNAL SENSE.

But on one of the sabbaths early in the morning they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

THAT the lord's resurrection early in the morning involves in it the arising of a new Church, both in general and in particular, yea also in singular, thus that He rises again daily, yea every moment, in the minds of the regenerate, vs 1.

But they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And entering in they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about it, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

On which occasion they who are in the affection of good and truth experience the removal of all false principles, so that Divine good and Divine truth are made manifest, vs 2, 3, 4.

But when they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, why seek you him that lives among the dead.

He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.

By which they are led into holy adoration, and are admonished that the lord's Humanity was made Divine, when the hereditary principle received from the mother was separated by temptation combats, vs 5, 6, 7.

And they remembered his sayings,

And returning from the sepulchre, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

But it was Mary Magdelene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and the other [women] with them, who told these things to the apostles.

And their sayings appeared before them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

They therefore communicate this truth to those, who had before been instructed concerning it, but as yet they cannot receive it, vs 8 to 12.

But Peter rising up ran to the sepulchre, and stooping down he beheld the linen clothes lying alone, and he departed, wondering within himself at that which was come to pass.

Nevertheless they who are more principled in the doctrine of faith are led to make enquiry about it, and seeing that in the lord all truth was made Divine Good, they are excited to adoration, vs 12.

And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, distant from Jerusalem sixty furlongs.

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass as they conversed and were inquisitive, Jesus Himself drawing near went with them.

But their eyes were restrained that they should not know Him.

They too, who are in the doctrine of charity and faith united, reason together on the subject, and by their reasonings bring the lord near to and present with them, though they do not know it, vs 13 to 17.

But He said to them what are these discussions which you have one with another, whilst you walk and are sad?

But one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, are you only a sojourner in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days.

And he said to them, what things? and they said to him the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a man a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to the judgement of death, and have crucified him.

But we hoped that he it is who was to have redeemed Israel, and besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

Moreover certain women also of our company excited our wonder, who were early at the sepulchre.

And not finding his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he is alive.

And certain of them who were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women said; but him they saw not.

And he said to them, O thoughtless, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.

Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?

By which nearness and presence they are finally instructed, that the Divine principle of the Lordled the Human principle into the most grievous temptations, and this even to the last of ability, that He might expel thence every thing that was merely human, until nothing remained but what was Divine, vs 17 to 27.

And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

And that all this was in agreement with what the Word teaches, since there is nothing written in theWord, which does not respect the lord Himself, his kingdom and Church, vs 27.

And they drew near to the village whither they were going, and he made as if he would go further.

And they constrained him, saying, abide with us, for it is towards evening and the day declines. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass as he reclined with them, taking bread he blessed it, and breaking gave it to them.

But their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he became invisible to them.

They therefore who are in the doctrine of charity and faith united are thus excited to cleave to the lord with more earnest affection, by virtue of which affection they obtain conjunction with him, and by that conjunction are instructed in the good and truth of faith, by which the lord makes himself manifest, vs 28 to 32.

And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he spoke to us in the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?

And rising up in that same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those that were with them,

Saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.

And they related the things done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

On which occasion, recollecting the warmth of heavenly love which has been inspired by the lord's presence, they testify the doctrine of the lord's glorification to those, who had before received the doctrine of good and truth, vs 32 to 36.

But as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and says to them, Peace be to you.

But being terrified and frightened they supposed that they saw a spirit.

And he said to them, why are you troubled, and why do reasonings arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have.

And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.

But while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said to them, have you here any meat?

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb.

And taking it he did eat before them.

So that these latter also are made sensible of the lord's presence, which is attended with alarm and perplexity, until they are instructed, that the lord made the very corporeal principle in Himself Divine, both as to its sensual and recipient principles, vs 36 to 44.

But he said to them, these are the words which I spoke to you whilst I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me.

And that this was in agreement with the Word throughout, since the things contained in the internal sense are all written of Him, for hence is the sanctity of the Word, vs 44.

Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,

And said to them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day;

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Their understandings thus become enlightened by the light of Divine Truth, which teaches, that the lord by temptation-combats subdued the hells, and glorified His Humanity, and that all obtain remission of sins, who do the work of repentance and believe in Him, vs 45, 46, 47.

But you are witnesses of these things.

And behold. I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.

They are therefore ordained to testify these things, as soon as the light of Divine Truth in their minds becomes conjoined with the love of Divine Good, vs 48, 49.

But he led them out as far as to Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.

And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and taken up into heaven.

And they worshiping him returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. AMEN.

For which purpose they receive Divine benediction, and by that benediction are convinced of the glorification of the lord's Humanity, through its oneness with Divinity, and that this glorified Humanity is the only proper object of worship, because it is the only source of all good and truth in the Church, vs 50 to the end.

Translation

But on one of the sabbaths early in the morning they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

But they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

And entering in they found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed about it, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

But when they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, why seek you him that lives among the dead.

He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spoke to you when he was yet in Galilee,

Saying, the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.

And they remembered his sayings,

And returning from the sepulchre, they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.

But it was Mary Magdelene, and Joanna, and Mary [the mother] of James, and the other [women] with them, who told these things to the apostles.

And their sayings appeared before them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

But Peter rising up ran to the sepulchre, and stooping down he beheld the linen clothes lying alone, and he departed, wondering within himself at that which was come to pass.

And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, distant from Jerusalem sixty furlongs.

And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

And it came to pass as they conversed and were inquisitive, Jesus Himself drawing near went with them.

But their eyes were restrained that they should not know Him.

But He said to them what are these discussions which you have one with another, whilst you walk and are sad?

But one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said to him, are you only a sojourner in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days.

And he said to them, what things? and they said to him the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a man a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to the judgement of death, and have crucified him.

But we hoped that he it is who was to have redeemed Israel, and besides all this, today is the third day since these things were done.

Moreover certain women also of our company excited our wonder, who were early at the sepulchre.

And not finding his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he is alive.

And certain of them who were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women said; but him they saw not.

And he said to them, O thoughtless, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.

Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?

And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

And they drew near to the village whither they were going, and he made as if he would go further.

And they constrained him, saying, abide with us, for it is towards evening and the day declines. And he went in to tarry with them.

And it came to pass as he reclined with them, taking bread he blessed it, and breaking gave it to them.

But their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he became invisible to them.

And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while he spoke to us in the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures?

And rising up in that same hour, they returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those that were with them,

Saying, the Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.

And they related the things done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

But as they thus spoke, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and says to them, Peace be to you.

But being terrified and frightened they supposed that they saw a spirit.

And he said to them, why are you troubled, and why do reasonings arise in your hearts?

Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have.

And as he said this he showed them his hands and his feet.

But while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said to them, have you here any meat?

And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb.

And taking it he did eat before them.

But he said to them, these are the words which I spoke to you whilst I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the Psalms concerning me.

Then he opened their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures,

And said to them, thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day;

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

But you are witnesses of these things.

And behold. I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry you in the city of Jerusalem, until you be endued with power from on high.

But he led them out as far as to Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them.

And it came to pass while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and taken up into heaven.

And they worshiping him returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

And were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. AMEN.

Chapter XXIV Extracts from the Theological Writings

OF

THE HON. EMANUEL SWEDENBORG

VERSE 1. But on one of the Sabbaths early in the morning they came to the sepulchre, &c. Inasmuch as morning in

the proper sense signifies the Lord, His coming, and thus the approach of His kingdom, it may be further manifest what is signified by morning, namely, the arising of a new church, for this is the Lord's kingdom in the earths, and this both in general, and in particular, yea also in singular. In general, when any church in the world is raised up anew; in particular, when man is regenerating, and becomes new, for in such case the kingdom of the Lord arises in him, and he is made a church; in singular, as often as the good of love and of faith is operative in him, for in this is the Lord's advent. Hence the resurrection of the Lord on the third day in the morning, Mark 16:29. Luke xxiv. John 20:1, involves all those things, even in particular and singular, that He rises again daily, yea every moment, in the minds of the regenerate. AC 2405.

Verse 4. Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. By garments are signified truths, and the reason is because the light of heaven is the Divine truth proceeding from the Lord as a sun there, and all things which exist in the heavens exist from the light there, in like manner also the garments with which the angels appear clothed. Hence it is that the angels who sat at the Lord's sepulchre had clothing white as snow, Matt 28:3; and that their garments were shining, Luke 24:4. AE 195.

Verses 25, 26, 27. And He said to them, O thoughtless, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken, &c. By these words the Lord taught His disciples before he departed from them, that every thing of the

Word was written concerning Himself, and that He came into the world to fulfill it. Doc. Lord. LORD 11.

Verse 26. Ought not Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory. It is according to the internal sense that the Divine [principle] of the Lord led the Human [principle] into the most grievous temptations, for by Abraham is meant the Lord as to the Divine [principle], and this even to the last of ability; the case herein is this, that the Lord admitted temptations into Himself, that He might expel thence every thing that was merely human, and this until nothing remained but what was Divine; that the Lord admitted temptations into Himself, even the last, which was that of the cross, may be manifest from these words, "Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into His glory. AC 2816.

Verse 27. And beginning from Moses and from all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. The Lord Himself also, after His resurrection, taught His disciples what had been written in Moses and the Prophets concerning Himself, thus that there was nothing written in the Word, which does not respect Himself, His kingdom and church; these are the spiritual and celestial things of the Word; but the things of the sense of the letter are for the most part worldly, corporeal, and terrestrial, which cannot in any wise make the Word of the Lord. AC 1540.

Verses 30, 31. And it came to pass as He reclined with them, taking bread He blessed it, and breaking gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him. Inasmuch as bread signifies the Lord as to the Divine good, and to eat it signifies appropriation and conjunction, therefore when the Lord manifested Himself after death before the disciples, or His breaking bread and giving it to them, their eyes were opened, and they knew Him, from which consideration it is also evident that to eat bread given by the Lord signifies conjunction with him, by virtue of which conjunction the disciples being enlightened knew Him, for eyes in the Word correspond to the understanding, and hence signify it, and this it is which is enlightened, and hence the eyes are opened; by breaking bread in the Word is signified to communicate good with another. AE 617. See also AE 340, and AC 9412, where it is remarked that to break bread and to give to the disciples in the spiritual world signifies to instruct in the good and truth of faith, by which the Lord appears.

Verse 39. Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I myself; handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have. The reason why the Lord rose again, not only as to the spirit, but also as to the body, is because the Lord glorified, that is, made Divine his whole human [principle], when he was in the world. For the soul, which He had from the Father, of itself was the Divine [principle] itself, and the body was made a likeness of the soul, that is, of the father, thus also Divine. Hence it is that he, otherwise than other men, rose again as to both; which also he manifested to the disciples, who believed that in seeing him they saw a spirit, saying, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see Me have," by which words he announced that he is a man, not only as to spirit, but also as to body. Last Judgement 21. See also Doctrine concerning the Lord, LORD 35.

Verses 42, 43. And they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish, and of a honeycomb: And taking it He did eat before them. That the Lord glorified His Human [principle] even to its ultimate, which is called natural and sensual, He manifested by showing His hands and feet, and by the disciples handling them, and by saying that a spirit has not flesh and bones like Himself, and by eating of a broiled fish and of a honey comb. For by hands and feet are signified the ultimate principles of man, in like manner by flesh and bones; and by a broiled fish is signified the natural principle as to truth derived from good, and by honey is signified the natural principle as to good from which truth is derived. These things were eaten in the presence of the disciples, because they corresponded to the natural man, and hence signified that man; for a fish, as has been shown in this article, from correspondence, signifies the natural principle as to what is scientific, wherefore also fish in the Word signifies the principle of science and knowledge which is of the natural man, and a broiled fish the principle of science which is from natural good, but with the Lord it signified the Divine natural [principle] as to truth derived from good. AE 513. See also AE 619, 1087, 1112, AC 7852, 10252, 10044, 10025.

The honey comb and broiled fish, which the Lord did eat after His resurrection, signified also the external sense of the Word, the fish as to its truth, and the honey comb as to its pleasantness; and in consequence of this signification, the Lord says to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you when I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms, concerning Me." It appears as if such things were not signified, because it seems to be of chance that they had a piece of roasted fish and a honey comb, nevertheless it was of providence, not only in this instance, but also as to other things contained in the Word, even in respect to the least things; inasmuch as such things were signified, therefore the Lord spoke of the Word, that in it they were written of Him. But the things which were written of the Lord in the Word of the Old Testament, in the sense of the letter are few, but the things contained in the internal sense are all written of Him, for hence is the sanctity of the Word; these things are meant by all things being fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses, and in the Prophets, and in the Psalms concerning Him. AC 5620. See also AC 7933. Doc. Lord. LORD 11.

The Lord made the very corporeal [principle] in Himself Divine, both its sensual and its recipient principles, wherefore also He rose from the sepulchre with a body, and likewise after resurrection said to the disciples, "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself, handle Me and see, for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see Me have." The generality of those who are of the Church at this day believe that every one is to rise again at the last day, and on this occasion with a body; which opinion is so universal, that scarce any one believes otherwise from any tenet of doctrine. But this opinion has prevailed in consequence of the natural man supposing that it is the body alone which lives; wherefore unless he believed that the body would again receive life, he would altogether deny a resurrection. Nevertheless the case is this, that man rises again immediately after death, and at the time appears to himself in a body altogether as in the world, with alike face, with like members, arms, hands, feet, breast, belly, loins; yea also when he sees and touches himself, he says that he is a man as in the world; nevertheless it is not his external principle which he carried about in the world which he sees and touches, but it is the internal, which constitutes that very human principle which lives, and which had an external around it or out of singular things belonging to itself, by which it could be in the world, and act there in agreement with its purposes and the discharge of duties. The earthly corporeal principle itself is no longer of any use to it, since he is in another world, where there are other functions, and other forces and powers, to which his body, such as he there has, is adapted. This he sees with his eyes, not with those eyes which he had in the world, but with those which he there has, which are the eyes of his internal man, and from which by the eyes of the body he had before seen worldly and terrestrial objects. This also he is sensible of by the touch, not of the hands, or the sense which he enjoyed in the world, but of the hands and sense which he there enjoys, which is that from which his sense of touch in the world existed; for every sense there is more exquisite and more perfect, because it is of the internal man set at liberty from the external. AC 5078. See also AC 9315, HH 316, TCR 793.

The Lord alone has a proprium (something which may be called His own); from this proprium He redeemed man, and from this proprium He saves man. The proprium of the Lord is life, by virtue of which proprium the proprium of man is vivified, which in itself is dead; the proprium of the Lord was also signified by the Lord's words in Luke, "A spirit has not flesh and bones as you see Me have." AC 149.

Verse 47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. It is an error of the present day to believe, that when sins are remitted, they are also removed, and in this error are all they who believe that sins are remitted to them by the sacrament of the supper, although they have not removed them from themselves by repentance. In the same error also are they who believe that they shall be saved by faith alone, and also by the papal bulls; also such persons believe in immediate mercy, and instantaneous salvation. But when the tenet is inverted it becomes a truth, namely that when sins are removed, they are also remitted; for repentance must precede remission, and without repentance there is no remission; wherefore the Lord commanded the disciples to preach repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 24:47; and John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 3:3. DP 280.

Chapter XXIV. Translators Notes and Observations.

VERSE 19. Who was a man a prophet, &c. In the common version of the New Testament the term man, which in the original Greek is aenr, is here omitted, and this for a reason, because in the opinion of some critics the term is here used as they say pleonastically. But with all due deference to such critics, we are bold to contend that the term ought to have been retained in the English translation, since it evidently makes a part of the inspired Word of the most high, and consequently must involve in it a spiritual and edifying meaning, when interpreted according to its internal sense and signification.